No matter what year it is, every NFL Draft class seems to have at least one player who is far and away the best player in the draft. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a number of these players come through the league and live up to expectations, dominating their class and standing atop the rest of their peers. In some cases, such as in 2011 and 2017, we saw multiple players, like Vonn Miller, Patrick Peterson, and Julio Jones all separate from the rest of the pack.
So who is that player in the 2020 NFL Draft that stands apart from the rest? Many might say that LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is the clear cut choice, as a reigning NCAA Champion and Heisman winner. Still, our pick is Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, who has almost unanimously been named the best player in the draft. So where does Young rank among the rest of the ‘can’t miss’ draft prospects of the last decade? Let’s break it down.
No. 6 — Myles Garrett
Usually the first pick in the NFL Draft is going to either be a can’t-miss QB, a can’t-miss edge-rusher, or a can’t-miss offensive lineman. Garrett was the obvious pick in 2017 after a dominant career at Texas A&M, and he has continued to be a great player in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns as well. He has a bright future ahead of him, as long as he can keep from attempted murder with a helmet going forward.
No. 5 — Chase Young
We’ve waxed poetic this offseason about how ridiculous of a prospect Young is, and his dominance in college only sets up what some think will be a Hall of Fame career. Joe Burrow will undoubtedly be the first player taken off the board, but all 32 teams would be absolutely ecstatic to walk away from the 2020 draft with Young on their roster. As can’t-miss of a prospect as you’ve ever seen.
No. 4 — Von Miller
Von Miller was in almost the exact situation in 2011 that Chase Young is in today. With Cam Newton projected to go No. 1 after winning both the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship game with Auburn, Miller was forced to sit back and wait until the second pick, where Denver could take him and run. Miller also got the last laugh in the end when his Broncos beat Newton in Super Bowl 50.
No. 3 — Ndamukong Suh
It’s extremely rare for a defensive player to get consideration for the Heisman Trophy, but that’s exactly what Suh did with the Nebraska Cornhuskers in college. While Suh has secured the label of being a dirty player in the NFL, he was an incredibly likeable player in college, only bolstering his already incredibly high draft profile.
No. 2 — Jadaveon Clowney
All you need in order to remember how hyped up Clowney was coming out of college is this single play…
An insanely big defensive lineman with speed and agility, Clowney was your classic edge-rusher who promised to improve whatever defense he went to. He hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in the NFL, but he’s still been a great asset to whatever team he is on.
No. 1 — Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck was heralded as the next John Elway, which is about as high of a compliment as you can give to a quarterback coming out of college. He went to the same school, had similar arm strength, and could break down the X’s and O’s of the game as well as anyone. It’s a shame that just this short time later, he’s already retired and gone from the game. What could have been.
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